Language Teacher Identity in a Non-Native Context: The case of Teachers of English Language in Ghana

The study investigated how English language teachers in Ghana construct their identities as teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ESL teachers who were selected through purposive sampling. The data was analysed qualitatively by coding, identi...

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Main Author: Joyce Anku
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: English Department of Antasari State Islamic University 2024-06-01
Series:LET: Linguistics, Literature and English Teaching Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jurnal.uin-antasari.ac.id/index.php/let/article/view/12374
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author Joyce Anku
author_facet Joyce Anku
author_sort Joyce Anku
collection DOAJ
description The study investigated how English language teachers in Ghana construct their identities as teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ESL teachers who were selected through purposive sampling. The data was analysed qualitatively by coding, identifying, categorising and interpreting the emerging themes.  It was found that the ESL teachers’ identity is defined by three elements: personal attributes, professional attributes, and contextual factors. On the personal level, the identity of the ESL teachers is characterised by passion, diligence, self-efficacy, and sense of inadequacy. Professionally, subject-matter knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and technological knowledge were found. Lastly, key contextual identity defining factors are curriculum and educational policies, classroom conditions and intrinsic motivation from learners’ success stories. The study recommends further investigation into other factors such as gender on non-native ESL teachers identity formation. Key words: Identity, teacher identity, language teacher identity, identity and teachers of English  
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institution Kabale University
issn 2086-9606
2549-2454
language English
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publisher English Department of Antasari State Islamic University
record_format Article
series LET: Linguistics, Literature and English Teaching Journal
spelling doaj-art-d7c0f20e98c64146af1c4a18cfb4b8552025-01-12T00:46:43ZengEnglish Department of Antasari State Islamic UniversityLET: Linguistics, Literature and English Teaching Journal2086-96062549-24542024-06-0114110.18592/let.v14i1.1237410088Language Teacher Identity in a Non-Native Context: The case of Teachers of English Language in GhanaJoyce Anku0University of Ghana The study investigated how English language teachers in Ghana construct their identities as teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ESL teachers who were selected through purposive sampling. The data was analysed qualitatively by coding, identifying, categorising and interpreting the emerging themes.  It was found that the ESL teachers’ identity is defined by three elements: personal attributes, professional attributes, and contextual factors. On the personal level, the identity of the ESL teachers is characterised by passion, diligence, self-efficacy, and sense of inadequacy. Professionally, subject-matter knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and technological knowledge were found. Lastly, key contextual identity defining factors are curriculum and educational policies, classroom conditions and intrinsic motivation from learners’ success stories. The study recommends further investigation into other factors such as gender on non-native ESL teachers identity formation. Key words: Identity, teacher identity, language teacher identity, identity and teachers of English   https://jurnal.uin-antasari.ac.id/index.php/let/article/view/12374Teacher IdentityLanguage Teacher IdentityTeachers of English in Ghana
spellingShingle Joyce Anku
Language Teacher Identity in a Non-Native Context: The case of Teachers of English Language in Ghana
LET: Linguistics, Literature and English Teaching Journal
Teacher Identity
Language Teacher Identity
Teachers of English in Ghana
title Language Teacher Identity in a Non-Native Context: The case of Teachers of English Language in Ghana
title_full Language Teacher Identity in a Non-Native Context: The case of Teachers of English Language in Ghana
title_fullStr Language Teacher Identity in a Non-Native Context: The case of Teachers of English Language in Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Language Teacher Identity in a Non-Native Context: The case of Teachers of English Language in Ghana
title_short Language Teacher Identity in a Non-Native Context: The case of Teachers of English Language in Ghana
title_sort language teacher identity in a non native context the case of teachers of english language in ghana
topic Teacher Identity
Language Teacher Identity
Teachers of English in Ghana
url https://jurnal.uin-antasari.ac.id/index.php/let/article/view/12374
work_keys_str_mv AT joyceanku languageteacheridentityinanonnativecontextthecaseofteachersofenglishlanguageinghana